Late error lifts Mississippi State over Southeast Missouri State

Mississippi State waited until the ninth inning. Demarcus Henderson singled to center field for a walk-off win.

A misplay in the outfield allowed the game-winning run to score, giving the No. 16 Bulldogs a 3-2 victory against Southeast Missouri State at Dudy Noble Field on Tuesday night.

The Bulldogs trailed 2-1 heading into the seventh. It tied the game on a Jake Vickerson sacrifice fly. MSU looked poised to take the lead in the eighth.

Mississippi State loaded the bases with no outs. But a shallow fly ball and a strikeout quickly erased any advantage the Bulldogs had. The threat ended with pinch-runner Jacob Robson getting thrown out at the plate. The sophomore tried to score on a passed ball but hesitated. That ended the inning.

The biggest miscue of the game though game from the Redhawks (14-10) in the ninth. Zack Randolph's game-winning run was unearned.

Randolph went 2-for-4 and scored two of MSU's three runs. Henderson, who plated Randolph, was the only other Bulldog with two hits in the game.

Jonathan Holder picked up the win. He pitched two innings, allowed one hit and struck out three. Starter Austin Sexton went 2 2⁄3 innings. The freshman allowed three hits, no runs and struck out three.

Mississippi State (18-9) has now won five of seven heading into a weekend series with Arkansas.